By now you have received your Reunion packet and, hopefully, sent
in your reservations and check. At last report the golf tournament
was almost filled up and reservations for the Banquet were rolling
in nicely. Your Board has worked tirelessly to make this year's reunion
a memorable event and we look forward to seeing you there.

Our guest speaker for the Saturday night banquet has changed again.
No, it's still Paul J. Lebras, but now as Major General, vice Brigadier
General. General Ralph E. "Ed" Eberhart, recently named
to head the new U.S. Northern Command, was on hand in early August
to pin Maj Gen Lebras with his second star at AIA Headquarters. Congratulations
Major General Lebras!

On a more somber note, recently we were once again reminded of the
supreme sacrifice our men and women in uniform may have to make as
they perform their missions to help safeguard our great country. One
of the command's own, SSgt Shane Kimmett, a direct support operator
with the 25th Information Operations Squadron, serving with the Air
Force Special Operations Command's 15th Special Operations Squadron,
died along with the nine other crewmen when their MC-130H Combat Talon
II crashed on August 7, 2002 in Puerto Rico. We express our deepest
sympathy to SSgt Kimmett's family and salute him for his dedicated
service in the very important role he and our other direct support
operators perform for the Special Operations folks.

When you receive this newsletter, the nation will be gearing up for
the one year anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001. While
there will be many expressions of sympathy, grief and many other emotions,
it will also be a time not only to remember those we lost on that
fateful day, but also to take pride and salute our men and women in
uniform who continue to guard us against us those who would take away
our freedoms and destroy our country.

We especially acknowledge our silent warriors, whose many contributions
to those efforts may not be publicly recognized, but play a vital
role in maintaining our security. Our hats are off to all of them.

So, it's reunion time. Come. Enjoy fellowship. Remember those who
have gone on. See old friends. Meet new ones. Maybe even enjoy an
adult beverage. It's a great time. See you on Security Hill in September.
Join us and remain in touch.